My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

even offer some to anyone, a group of children was surrounding her

cake is so

hand, she lifted a knife and a paper plate, preparing to cut

stopped her and pulled some candles out of a box to the side. “Today is Miss Rachel’s birthday. Before she treats you all to some cake, what should

of the group, which happened to be a little girl in pigtails, immediately said, “Wish

sing the ‘Happy

her

blow out the

Julian that there was

candles and had the children sing ‘Happy Birthday’ in unison. The delicate chorus of young voices would have a healing

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

it in your heart and not out loud, or the wish won’t come true,” a very young voice piped up beside

little girl who wasn’t even at table height yet looking up at her with pretty, sparkling

clasped her hands and made a wish. After that, she blew out the

say thank you!” their parents

each other’s faces. Just like that,

Rachel finally smiled for

building, Julian continued, “The most important thing right now is to take

know. Don’t worry about me. I never wanted it, anyway, so I might as well

bringing up the child, he changed the topic and told her, “Go on upstairs, then. It’s been getting colder lately, so make sure to keep warm since you have

she turned and headed toward the

she was inside her apartment and about

the door was propped open by a large hand

up, Rachel saw Justin glowering at her, his darkened face made all the

he out on business? she

sideways into the house and

see you’ve been

steps back.

he pulled off his necktie and threw

like unmelting icebergs as he sneered, “I suppose you wouldn’t want me to ruin your blissful days, would

approached her, forcing her back inch by

had no idea what she did

staggered after him and was